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The most odd thing I encounted in/around DC was night maneuvers at a local park. May have been Rock Creek. Whole platoon dropped off, given very incomplete instructions, and sent into the night. We were to navigate to the other side of the park, using no lights.

Given the neighborhood, and the loud music coming from a bunch of bars, it was relatively easy to navigate. Of course, being in the middle of town, ammo was not issued. We were told that it we encounted any of a different platoon working in our direction, we were to yell 'BANG'. Absolutely the dumbest thing I have ever done.

A couple of guys got seperated and lost. Walked to the nearest rock fence which was easy to climb as it was only about five feet tall, walked to a bar across the street and called a cab. They beat us back to the barracks by about an hour. I wish I could have been in the bar when two guys dressed in utilities walked in carrying M-1's, faces painted.

So goes the idea of night maneuvers in a very urban area. As DC is a bad area, I suppose the guys were lucky to get out unharmed.

Yeah, it was loaded. It was also loaded when Kruschev made his visit to Camp David to meed with President Eisenhower in December after being beaten Kennedy. I was within five feet of the evil little man at the time.

And when I was assigned to Prime Minister Nehru when he stayed at Blair House when on a visit to Washington.

Remember, an unloaded firearm is of no more use than a brick.

Back in the 60's, I was in the USMC, and for Top Secret/White House clearance 'somebody' went back as far as my first grade teacher. From what I could tell, they checked school records for every other year through junior high, every year of high school, and every part time job I ever had. All scout leaders, every coach and every church affilation.

I have walked through the White House a number of times with a 1911 strapped on.

Then the govt. got me a diplomatic passport at their expense. Used it about fifteen times, and it was kept in the C.O.'s office in his safe. A few years after I got out, I applied for a passport of my own. There was no record of my ever having gotten one.

You can never tell who does the checking, or how far back they go.